In order to obtain precise data on radiation distribution throughout the body during an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), MATROSHKA -an ESA multi-user facility - was developed by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine. The key part of the facility is a human phantom upper torso, equipped with numerous radiation detectors. MATROSHKA was mounted on the exterior of the Russian Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2004. After an exposure of about 18 month it was brought back inside the ISS and equipped with new detector sets and is still operating. The data gathered - in cooperation with 19 institutes worldwide - are used to reduce uncertainties in risk estimates for radiation-induced cancer, and for the refinement of the shielding needs for vehicles used for future long duration missions. They serve as benchmarks for space radiation models and radiation transport calculations and have important implications for ISS crew health and mission planning.

Besides the MATROSHKA experiment, the group is in charge– as contractor for ESA – for the personal dosimetry of European Astronauts. Of special importance are the experiments – in cooperation with CAU – for the long term monitoring of the radiation environment in- and outside the ISS. This started with measurements inside the US Lab in 2001 (DOSMAP) and was followed by long term spatial and temporal measurements in the Columbus Module starting with the DOSIS (2009 – 11) experiment and followed by the DOSIS 3D experiment (2012 – 15). The development of active radiation detectors in cooperation with the University of Kiel for the US MSL Mission, as well as the determination of the radiation exposure on aircrew are further fields of study.

All space studies are accompanied by an extensive ground based calibration program. The detection efficiency of various passive (thermoluminescence detectors, nuclear track etch detectors) and active (silicon detectors, tissue equivalent proportional counters and scintillators) radiation detectors is investigated in various heavy ion and neutron fields.